Austraila’s travel writer Lee Tulloch called the Burren Food Trail one of the world’s best-kept secrets. Find out why and which gastronomic delights can be discovered in our region.
Nestled in the heart of Ireland, the Burren stands as a testament to nature’s magnificence, but the region is offering more than breathtaking landscapes. The fertile valleys of this region have, for centuries, been celebrated for their exceptional quality of food and produce. In 2015, The Burren’s sustainable culinary scene took center stage and proudly claimed the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) award for Tourism and Local Gastronomy. An award that brought our region and producers on the culinary map of the world.
From Pasture to Plate: Ways to enjoy the food of the Burren
There are many ways to explore local food when visiting the Burren region, from The Burren Food Trails, to producers of the Burren Food Network, all the way to your breakfast table when staying at our lodges with the Burren Food Trail Breakfast Buffet.
Exploring The Burren Food Trails
The Burren Food Trails aren’t just a collection of quality food establishments; the trails are an invitation to embark on a gastronomic journey that traces the path from field to plate. The commitment to sustainability binds our Burren food producers, ensuring a promising and eco-friendly future for the region.
There are three different trails, that have been created by Burren Eco Tourism to promote a variety of foods across the region and help visitors to get the best foodie experience.
Burren Food Trail 1: The Market Garden Trail
The Burren valleys are home to many market gardens, farms and beekeepers. Come and discover the secrets of the gardeners, take a Cookery Master Class, pick some fruit, and visit the Farmers Market where you can chat with the growers and enjoy the best of locally produced seasonal food. Along this trail you will find:
Burren Fine Wine & Food
Nestled in the hills of the Burren near Ballyvaughan a century-old stone coach house we specialise in summer lunches, afternoon tea, quality wines and gourmet hampers with owner Cathleen’s home-baking and gardening skills (approx.. 25 min drive from Doolin).
Ballyvaughan Farmers Market
Established in 2003 this bustling and vibrant farmers market is recognised as a premium food market with wholesome quality food from local producers every Saturday, May to October 10 am to 2 pm (approx.. 30 min drive from Doolin).
Kinvara Farmers Market
Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, live music and the vast array of fresh local produce and crafts. Kinvara Farmer’s market takes place every Friday from April to November (approx.. 45 min drive from Doolin).
Burren Food Trail 2: The Farm To Fork Trail
Glas Restaurant at Hotel Doolin
A 30-mile menu sourced entirely in County Clare! From Bernard Roughan’s beef & lamb to Michael O’Connell’s lobster & crab, each ingredient comes from no more than 30 miles away. (approx.. 12 min walk from our lodges)
Sheedy’s Hotel & Restaurant, Lisdoovarna
Chef John Sheedy’s menu is a tribute to local produce, featuring vegetables & herbs in their garden. The Rack of Burren Lamb with a herb crust is a signature dish showcasing the best of the region (approx.. 10 min drive from Doolin).
The Market House, Ennistymon
Dive into a world of flavour at this family-run Butchers, Delicatessen & Cafe in Ennistymon. Owner Sean Haugh’s 3rd generation farm on the Cliffs of Kilkee supplies the cafe & deli with the family’s beef and local food products. (approx.. 15 min drive from Doolin)
Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan
Nestled on Corkscrew Hill, this castle hotel boasts an extensive vegetable and herb garden. Head Chef uses this fresh produce, along with lamb from nearby Kilshanny, creating a culinary masterpiece with a view (approx.. 23 min drive from Doolin).
Hylands Burren Hotel, Ballyvaughan
A long-established family-run hotel which uses local and seasonal food on its menu, including cheese from nearby Aillwee Burren Experience (approx.. 29 min drive from Doolin).
Burren Food Trail 3: Taste of The Ocean Trail
As the Burren sits on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, the Taste of The Ocean Trail showcases the region’s abundance of fresh seafood. Each stop adds a unique flavour to the culinary adventure of the Burren region.
Burren Smokehouse
In Lisdoonvarna, you can taste smoked and handcrafted Irish Organic Salmon following an ancient tradition (approx.. 10 min drive from Doolin).
The Roadside Tavern
Offering a great place to relax with traditional music most evenings and an award-winning menu (approx.. 10 min drive from Doolin).
Wild Kitchen Lahinch
Take a step on the wild side, taste edible wild plants, and learn plant folklore, recipes and identification tips. Walks can include a picnic lunch, cookery demos or a “pop up” wild food experience in unusual venues (approx.. Lahinch: 18 min drive from Doolin).
Monks Ballyvaughan
Renowned for fresh, local produce, great service and a warm welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy local seafood and Irish cuisine while overlooking Galway Bay (approx.. 30 min drive from Doolin).
The signature dish is a seafood platter of organic smoked salmon, prawns, crab meat, crab claws, mussels and clams, served with traditional homemade brown bread (approx.. 40 min drive from Doolin)!
Flaggy Shore Oysters Experience
The Oyster shucking and tasting experience includes an educational workshop into how oysters are farmed, and how their environment influences their taste (approx.. 40 min drive from Doolin).
Burren Food Experiences
Meet the producers, sample the food, dine or shop locally produced food with the Burren Food Experience across all local towns.
Ballyvaughan
Start your day with breakfast at Hylands Burren Hotel, experience a real Burren farm, with the prehistoric fort at Caherconnell Stone Fort & Sheepdog Trials, followed by an afternoon of cheese tasting at Aillwee Burren Experience.
Ennistymon
Visit St Tola Goats Cheese to meet the goats and taste the cheese ending with a lunch of local foods at the Market House Ennistymon.
Liscannor
Visit the Moher Cottage for excellent coffee, ice creme, sweet treats and local gifts. Followed by a walk along the stunning Cliffs of Moher and a seafood dinner at Vaughan’s Liscannor.
Lisdoonvarna
Begin your culinary journey at the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland’s best-known artisan seafood producer. See how salmon is cured and smoked and learn about the heritage of Irish salmon in the interactive visitor center.
Visit a microbrewery above the Roadside Tavern that produces craft beer inspired by the Burren – The Burren Brewery before heading to the Burren Distillers in Ballyvaughan where an ancient Irish whiskey can be sampled.
New Quay
Visit Flaggy Shore Oysters and enjoy a fun, interactive, educational and tasty 90-minute journey into the world of oysters. Learn about the area’s rich history of oyster bays, the life cycle of an oyster, sea weeds and sea creatures off the Flaggy Shore, celebrated in poem and song before we start shucking.
Around the corner you will find Linalla Pure Irish Ice Creme. The artisan ice creme producer uses milk from the Burren to create what is likely to be Ireland’s best ice creme.
Eating local in Doolin
Doolin may be a small village by the Ocean, but we are home to some incredible restaurants.
You can find everything from takeout to Michelin-listed fine dining in Doolin. We have listed some of the fantastic local restaurants and pubs for you here:
Anthony’s Doolin
Experience the foods and flavours of the Burren within a 2-minute walk from our Lodges. Call 065 7074421 for reservations
The Ivy Cottage Doolin
A cosy Garden Cafe and restaurant with excellent choices of food, the Ivy cottage is only a 2-minute walk from our Lodges. No reservations – walk-in only.
Russell’s Doolin
Enjoy seafood, fusion dishes and more within an 8-minute walk from our Lodges. Call 065 670 0200 for reservations.
Oar Restaurant
The Oar offers rustic Fine Dining with excellent dishes made from local produce. Located within a 15-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from our Lodges. Call 085 270 4686 for reservations.
Homestead Cottage
New on the map, the menu is filled with organic, local and seasonal goodness and we highly recommend dining here. Reachable within a 5 min drive from our Lodges, call 085 8613103 for reservations.
Glas Doolin
The Glas Restaurant in Hotel Doolin is Home to the 30-mile menu, providing excellent choices of local foods. You get to the Glas Restaurant within a 7-minute walk from our Lodges, call 065 7074111 for reservations.
Our Burren Food Trail Breakfast Buffet
Guests to our The Lodges @ Sea View House can enjoy the Burren Food Trail Breakfast Buffet without leaving your lodge.
Our Burren Food Trail Breakfast Buffet can change daily with the availability of local produce, but usually includes: our homemade Irish soda bread, Darra’s banana bread, a selection of homemade jams, our signature Burren goat cheese frittata made with eggs from our farm served with Darra’s tomato Chutney, handmade Burren cheese from Ailwee, St Tola goats cheese, Burren smoked salmon and more.
Almost all ingredients are sourced from either our garden and farm or from our partner members of the Burren Food Trail. We will be happy to include gluten-free options and are sensitive to other dietary requirements.
If you are interested in having breakfast at your Lodge please Contact Us in advance of check-in.
Taste The Burren Events 2024
The Burren Food Trail members organise annual events that celebrate local, wild, and seasonal produce, offering a chance to meet producers and experience the Burren way of life.
The Burren Slow Food Festival in May and the Burren Food Fayre in October are highlights, featuring interactive experiences, heritage celebrations, and a focus on the region’s unique landscape.
Dates and more information can be found here. Early bookings are recommended for the event dates.
Burren Producers in the GEOfood Initiative
In 2021, nine members of the Burren Ecotourism Network joined the international GEOfood initiative. This global brand promotes food sourced and produced in UNESCO Global Geoparks, emphasizing the connections between local food, food traditions, and geological heritage. Businesses like Aillwee Burren Cheese, Burren Beef, Burren Smokehouse, and more have embraced this initiative, strengthening local livelihoods and connecting the Burren’s geological and culinary wonders. Find more Burren Food here.
Private dining experience – Chef Nights at The Lodges @ Sea View House, Doolin
For 2024, we are thrilled to introduce our Chef Nights, available exclusively for our guests. Experience the epitome of luxury and gastronomic delight as you savour a private dining experience in the heart of your lodge. Let one of our private chefs create unforgettable local dishes that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight. Find out more.
Sustainable dining in the Burren – A food lover’s dream for 2024
The Burren region brings more to the table than a culinary adventure; it’s an immersion into the history, sustainability, and rich traditions of the region. With award-winning restaurants, artisanal producers, and a commitment to a sustainable future, the Burren stands as a gastronomic haven, inviting visitors to explore the unique flavours of our region.
Whether you’re exploring market gardens, following the Farm to Fork trail, or diving into the Taste of The Ocean, the Burren’s culinary offerings promise an unforgettable journey through Ireland’s rich culinary heritage.
Enjoy!